Need Advice for last minute one day in the Magic Kingdom!

[sfeisen]

Can a last minute trip to MK work?

We haven't been to Magic Kingdom since 2010! Wow have things changed! We are headed down to Orlando for our daughter's (age 14) AAU Nationals Basketball tournament. We fly in this Friday night, and are planning on spending Saturday July 11th at MK. We are SO Excited, but since things have changed a little nervous since we aren't familiar with all the new fast pass changes, have no ADR's, etc.

We are staying off property, and can't check into our Condo until 4pm. We were planning on being there at rope drop, doing as much as we can, and then leaving around 3 to check into the condo. When we return, we will be bringing one of my daughter's friends who hasn't been to MK since she was 3!

Not an ideal situation, but it's what I've got to work with. I'm lost on what to do for FP, and probably will have to eat at Quick Service.

Please offer suggestions if you can!

 

[hurley41]

I'd do as much stuff as you can at rope drop, pick out the one or two things(hopefully in the same area) that are most important to you and do those. I'd just take it easy and enjoy being there! Ride whatever you can get on with shorter waits. But we're more laid back than others and that's just how we do it. You will have to decide though if you want to use your fast passes at night when your daughters friend is there, or beforehand without her. Personally since you're going to do rope drop, I'd save the fast passes for the evening with your daughters friend.

 

[DetroitDisney]

From a last experience I had, it's worth it, especially if you can't get there often. I did basically a half day there last year when I flew down for the Daytona 500 with my father. We literally got into the park around 2pm, had no advance FP+, and stayed there till about 11.

Not "ideal" but still amazing.

You just need to accept that you won't do everything, you are paying a lot for single day tickets, but the fun is worth it. Go with the flow and see what you can do in a single day.

Have fun!!

 

[caroline1851]

Get there for RD then schedule fp+ for after 10am. After your last fp, schedule another one for night. Or....just do what you can during day then schedule all fp+ for when you return at night with daughter's friend. Just eat counter service....takes less time and you'll have more time for the park.

 

[tinkfan160]

We did one day at MK 2 days after Christmas last year and while it certainly isn't ideal, we still had a great time and did a lot. My grandma was also with us so we were traveling a little slower than normal. We also took about a 2 hour break in the afternoon, but we were staying on property so that was easy. We did have one ADR at Be Our Guest for lunch. I had set up FP+, but we never used them because the waits were shorter than waiting to use them. Again, as I said it's not ideal, but you can still have a great time and get a lot done if you prioritize and don't expect to do everything! Have fun!!!

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

You can get a lot done in the evening after the park starts to clear out. Here's an example from just a few weeks ago from 8:30 pm to midnight. No FP+

Jungle Cruise
Pirates
Splash Mtn
Big Thunder
Haunted Mansion
7 Dwarfs (5 minute wait right after Wishes). Posted wait was 65 minutes.
Pooh
Teacups
Speedway
Space Mtn 4x in just over 30 minutes.

We also watched the parade and fireworks.

I believe that our longest wait was for Pirates at about 15 minutes.